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Testimonials

THANK YOU FOR YOUR ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Dear Mr. Bennett:
Central Okanagan Public Schools is grateful that you and the fund you have established
continue to invest in our learners with thoughtfulness and personal interest. Thanks to your
generosity, more students start their day with the food they need to learn, more students find
purpose and a pathway to success through the Gateway Program, a District initiative with
Okanagan College, and more students thrive beyond graduation with the support of Strive
Scholarships. We teach all students that kindness is as important as hard work in being truly
successful members of the community. Your generosity is an inspiring example of this principle
and proves to our students that their community believes in them.
We are also grateful that your generosity has changed the lives of many students in the Central
Okanagan School District for the better, and set them on a path to be positive citizens who will
thrive.
Sincerely,
Kevin Kaardal
Superintendent of Schools/CEO

Kevin Kaardal
Superintendent of Schools/CEO
Central Okanagan Public Schools


Central Okanagan Food Bank

The Gary Bennett Family Fund has been an ardent supporter of the Central Okanagan Food Bank for several years. Your commitment to our Tiny Bundles program is essential as we meet the rising needs in our community. Mothers within the program are not only dealing with financial insecurity, but the diminishing access to formula right now which is compounding the stress of providing for their newborns. I hope you know what a difference you and the GBFF is making in their lives. Together, we are fighting hunger and feeding hope in our community through the dignity of food and nourishment. Thank you to the Gary Bennett Family Fund for your unwavering support of the Central Okanagan Food Bank.

Trina Speiser
Director of Development
Central Okanagan Food Bank


Dear Mr. Gary Bennett,

We wish to thank you for your ongoing support of our Emergency Food Hamper program. Now more than ever people are facing new financial challenges and frightening realities. Both the Kelowna Salvation Army and the Westside Salvation Army have witnessed an increase in need for our programs and services and it is only through the generosity of donors such as The Gary Bennett Family Fund, and its supporters, that we are able to meet the nutritional needs of our communities. It is an honour to be entrusted with your donations. We look forward to a continued partnership with you and your Foundation. Thank you for Giving Hope Today!

Sincerely,
Jennifer Henson, Officer
Kelowna Salvation Army

Mark Wagner, Officer
Westside Salvation Army


OUR DEEPEST THANKS FOR YOUR ONGOING FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Dear Mr. Gary Bennett,

I am writing this letter to express our deepest thanks for your ongoing financial support to our school. Your support has allowed us to provide enhanced programs and services to our students. Your generosity has played a key role in the success of our food and Gateway Programs as well as the Strive Scholarships.

Thank you for personally investing the time to learn about our school and the students we serve. You always embrace the diversity of our student population. You see the best in our students and have a genuine desire to see them excel.

Thank you for your vision, dedication and conviction to making a positive difference in our community. We look forward to a continuing partnership with you and your foundation.

Sincerely,
Randy Home

Randy Home
Principal
Central Programs and Services


TO EXPRESS MY DEEP APPRECIATION

Dear Mr. Bennett,

I am writing to express my deep appreciation for awarding me the Gary Bennett Family Achievement Award in January of this year.

As a person with a disability, the challenges in education I have been faced with have caused me to require extra time to complete my high school education. I am retaking the Gateway Program and doing very well and am prepared to start the Welding Program in 2018.

I am extremely grateful for your generosity and for the existence of funds such as yours. Without the financial support such as that given through you, many students such as myself would have to forgo a post secondary education.

Once again, thank you very much for having seen the potential in me and in so many others you have assisted over the years. I look forward to your reply.

Kindest Regards,

Tristan Wendt


THANK YOU FOR YOUR INCREDIBLE SUPPORT

Dear Mr. Bennett,

I am writing to you to thank you for your incredible support of our breakfast programs. Through your generous donations, we are able to ensure that many of our students start their morning with the food they need to support their success.

Kind regards,

Vianne Kintzinger
Assistant Superintendent (Central Family of Schools)
Central Okanagan Public Schools


THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

BREAKFAST PROGRAM MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Springvalley Elementary students are able to learn each day with a full stomach thanks to the Gary Bennett Family Fund.  Our students come from widely diverse backgrounds and many families in our community struggle to make ends meet.  Students often come to school hungry but are greeted with a healthy breakfast if they need or want one.  Springvalley staff members alongside community volunteers put together a healthy breakfast for approximately 50-60 students each day.  It is because of community supporters such as the Gary Bennett Family Fund that our children can start their day without worrying about food.  We are so very grateful for our partnership and these ongoing donations.

Sue Stevenson
Principal
Springvalley Elementary School


THANK YOU FOR YOUR GIFT…

Gary, Thank you for your gift.  You have been very supportive for our programs and we are extremely grateful.  As you know, so much of our work is to provide opportunities for our students to feel connected to school, to the community and to themselves.  This is a process that takes time, patience and commitment.   You have been there for our students over a number of years and making a difference for them.
Thank you!

Curtis Schreiber
Former Principal
Central School and Programs


BREAKFAST PROGRAM AT SPRING VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL…

Thank you to the Gary Bennett Family Fund for your generous donation in support of our Breakfast Program at Springvalley Elementary School.  Our Breakfast program is essential for our students as a great many of them come to school without eating breakfast before they arrive.  We are a vulnerable school with many diverse needs and providing students with a nutritious start to their day is very helpful in their learning.  The Program is funded through very generous donations by the community and this year we have been running very low, so this donation has been a big boost to our program.  Thank You again for this donation which will have a huge impact on our school community!!!

Warm Regards,
Hugh Alexander
Former Principal of Springvalley Elementary


IT IS WITH GREAT PLEASURE…

It is with great pleasure that I acknowledge the wonderful work being done by The Gary Bennett Family Fund.  Resources coming from this fund support many disadvantaged students in the Central Okanagan School District so that they may achieve their potential and contribute positively to society.  We are especially thankful that this fund provides food for our breakfast programs, scholarships for worthy students and assistance to a program for vulnerable youth.

Hugh Gloster, Superintendent (Retired)
Central Okanagan School District

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